This is how I understand the system works in picking playoff referees. I heard a radio interview with retired legendary ref Jake O’Donnell, and got most of this information there
Every single referee has a job performance evaluation for the regular season. The top 96 ranking refs are divided into 8 groups of 12 referees. Each group of 12 is assigned to an opening round series. That is not an extra benefit or arbitrary decision to grant extra responsibility. It is based upon your job performance evaluation, your grade if you will.
The refs are continually evaluated. The top 48 ref in the second round. The top 24 the 3rd round. The top 12 group does the finals.
The job performance rating is shared with each individual referee. Not the ranking of every other ref, but certainly where you rank in the overall scheme of things. Each ref knows if he is top 96, top 48, etc. If he is ranked up there and is not named to an officiating group of 12, then the first thing he does is contact David Stern, or whomever below Stern handles officiating.
He asks “Why am I not working and why I’m not being paid when based upon my job performance rating I should be officiating in round 1. Have I been suspended for something?”
Tell me, what is the boss supposed to say? That he just decided to not let you work based upon a rumor that can’t be confirmed?
And what do you do for being not allowed to work with no legal cause? You call your lawyer. And this is not the murderer or rapist where there is a danger to society such that suspicion of innocence can be to an extent compromised.
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